Revolutionising climate predictions: How the EERIE project is filling the gaps in climate models

The climate crisis demands decisive action and cutting-edge innovation. That’s why MAIA project partner European Eddy-Rich Earth-System Models (EERIE) improves climate models that allow us to make advanced projections—and prepare for an uncertain future.

Funded by the European Union, the EERIE project is studying important ocean processes that influence our climate. Specifically, they’re looking at how ocean whirlpools called “mesoscale ocean eddies” can affect our climate. Then, they use this knowledge to improve existing climate projections.

What is climate modelling and why does it matter?

Climate modelling is the process of using computers to simulate the Earth’s climate using the laws of physics. These models help scientists understand how different factors—like the atmosphere, oceans, land, and ice—interact and influence the climate. By using these models to create simulations, scientists can predict future climate conditions and understand potential changes in weather patterns, sea levels, and more.

The ocean is full of swirling currents less than 100 kilometres wide that last for about a month. Existing climate models often use information that not consider these ocean eddies because they are difficult to simulate. However, EERIE aims to include these ocean eddies in their models to improve climate accuracy predictions. 

In this way, this project fills gaps in current climate models, providing a more detailed and accurate picture of how the climate might change, everywhere. This helps scientists make better predictions and gives policymakers the information they need to make informed decisions about climate change.

EERIE brings together 17 institutions from nine European and African countries. In this collaborative space, experts from diverse disciplines work together to understand the complex interactions between the ocean, atmosphere, land, ice, and biosphere.

What does EERIE aim to achieve?

This project aims to:

• Improve the accuracy of climate simulations by including ocean eddies in its models.
  
• Develop new ways to test climate models that make them more reliable for future assessments.
  
• Reduce the time and energy needed to produce detailed climate data.
• Use advanced climate models to determine the role of ocean eddies in climate – now and in the future.
• Enhance regional climate predictions and help local communities understand their specific climate risks.
  
• Provide cutting-edge climate predictions that guide future strategies.
  
• Deliver climate data that can be directly used in policy and decision-making.
  
• Strengthen Europe’s leadership in climate science through collaboration and innovation.

EERIE’s success will be seen in the adoption of its models and simulations by the scientific community and their inclusion in important climate reports like those from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The ultimate goal is for EERIE’s work to influence climate policy and provide reliable data to support effective climate action.

MAIA and EERIE: United for a Resilient Future

The impact of EERIE extends far beyond the scientific community. By providing more reliable and regionally accurate climate projections, the project will inform mitigation and adaptation strategies, protecting vulnerable communities and ecosystems. As a partner project of MAIA, EERIE is helping us achieve our aims of connecting communities, platforms, knowledge, and research to drive transformative change in the fight against climate change.

Learn more about MAIA’s partner projects.
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